About Oral-Conscious Sedation

At Amherst Park Family Dental in Broomfield, CO, our dentists administer oral-conscious sedation to patients during certain invasive procedures or for patients who have anxiety or fear about visiting the dentist. Oral-conscious sedation is taken as a pill about an hour prior to the procedure. The pill can be made for a mild to moderate sedation, depending on the patient’s needs and the procedure being performed. Mild sedation will make the patient feel drowsy, but they do not usually fall asleep. Moderate sedation is used during more invasive procedures to make the patient feel drowsy and the patient may fall into a light sleep. While other sedation methods can be adjusted during the procedure, the level of oral-conscious sedation can’t be changed.

What to Expect

Our dentists will meet with the patient to thoroughly review their medical history, medications, and any allergies to determine if the patient qualifies for oral-conscious sedation. If oral-conscious sedation is chosen, our dentists will prescribe the pill for the patient to take about one hour before their procedure. The patient will not be able to drive to or from their appointment, since the patient will be conscious, but in a tranquil state. During the procedure, the patient will be able to hear our dentists and to follow any instructions. Some patients may fall asleep during the procedure, but they can be easily waked when the procedure is finished.

Treatment Aftercare

Patients should not drive for at least 24 hours after taking oral-conscious sedation, so our dentists recommend that each patient have a responsible adult to take them home after their procedure. While the patient usually remains conscious during the procedure, the sedation causes short-term memory loss. Oral-conscious sedation is generally safe, but some patients may experience temporary nausea. Any unusual side effects or lasting pain should be reported to our dentists at Amherst Park Family Dental immediately.

More Information

Insurance Coverage

Depending on the patient’s insurance coverage, some or all of the cost of oral-conscious sedation may be covered. Amherst Park Family Dental will communicate with the patient’s insurance company before the procedure to determine their coverage and expenses. Our dentists at Amherst Park Family Dental accept many forms of payment and we can connect patients to medical financing plans.

Plan Your Procedure

Learn Your Sedation Options

If you are having a longer procedure at Amherst Park Family Dental or if you have been skipping your regular exams and bi-annual cleaning because of anxiety, oral-conscious sedation or other sedation techniques can help you to remain calm and comfortable during your visit to Amherst Park Family Dental. For more information, schedule a consultation with our dentists and learn more about sedation options, including oral-conscious sedation.